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You are here: Home / Archives for newwestfarmers

RCFM is GMO Free

April 18, 2012 By newwestfarmers

Image by Maurizio Carta, used under Creative Commons license
Image by Maurizio Carta, used under Creative Commons license

At our recent RCFM Board Meeting, the members of the Board unanimously passed a motion to declare our market a GMO Free Zone.

We feel the expansion of GMOs into our mainstream food supply without labeling denies consumers the right to know what’s in their food and we felt it appropriate to make a statement on what our position was on this matter.

Of the three main GMO crops (canola, corn, and soy) we are only aware of GMO corn being grown in our region, and we will be monitoring the origin of any corn that appears at our Market as well as soy and canola products should a BC vendor apply that sells those.

There are some exciting developments in the struggle to achieve truth in labeling. In California,  volunteers are frantically collecting 500,000 signatures in order to force a referendum in the fall to have GMOs labeled. Polls indicate strong support for this initiative. In Guelph, Ontario, the research project to introduce a GE or “Enviro Pig” into the marketplace has been abandoned and hopefully the same fate will befall the genetically engineered salmon the company AquaBounty has been trying to get approval for.

We are joining other British Columbia communities: Powell River, Saltspring Island, Rossland, Nelson, and soon, Richmond, in making this declaration. Declaring ourselves a GMO Free Zone is more a reflection of our values than a heavy handed enforcement tool. We believe that one of the main reasons consumers are supporting farmers markets in record numbers is a lack of trust in the products being offered by conventional retail outlets. Declaring ourselves a GMO Free Zone is a commitment to the trust our customers have placed in us that we will do everything in our power to ensure the products being offered at our Market are GMO free.

 

Sincerely,

Andrew Murray

President

Royal City Farmers Market Association

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News, Uncategorized

Bringing the Okanagan to New Westminster

April 16, 2012 By newwestfarmers

RCFM River Market at the Quay

RCFM is excited to sponsor Naramata on the River, a night of fine wine dining, as part of the 11th Annual British Columbia Cultural Crawl at the River Market in New Westminster.

Naramata Bench Wineries can be found near Penticton in the Southern Okanagan. It’s not enough that they get less rain and hotter weather than us New Westminsterians, but Naramata Bench also gets to sit on sand cliffs with views of mountains, vineyards and Okanagan Lake with a fresh glass of sun-soaked wine.

The one big perk with Naramata on the River is that you don’t have to drive the five hours to get to the wine: the wine is coming to you. On April 24, 2012, the River Market at the New Westminster Quay will be hosting Naramata Bench Wineries from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Plan a Tuesday night in the town and walk, bike or skytrain to the River Market to taste test new wines.

Rest assured there will be no shortages of red or white wine choices between the 21 members associated with Naramata Bench, including Laughing Stock Vineyards, the 2011 Canadian Wine Awards gold medal winner for Syrah 2009. A full list of the participating wineries is located at the bottom of this post. The Spring wine releases will be paired with dishes from Vancouver restaurants, including the Hamilton Street Grill, Hagensborg Chocolates and Naramata’s personal Hillside Bistro to complete your wine tasting experience.

As if dining by the River listening to live music by the Sarah Kennedy Jazz Trio and New Westminster singer and songwriter Gillian Hobbs isn’t enough, you will get the chance to meet and greet Naramata winemakers and bid on silent auctions for Naramata wines, Naramata Wine Country Getaways, Behind the Scenes Wine Experiences and Canadian artworks.

This event promises to be an evening of fine wining, dining and spending quality time with family and friends.

Participating wineries:

Black Widow Winery
D’Angelo Estate Winery
Elephant Island Orchard Wines
Hillside Estate Winery & Bistro
Kettle Valley Winery
La Frenz Winery
Lake Breeze Vineyards
Laughing Stock Vineyards
Misconduct Wine Co.
Monster Vineyards
Moraine Estate Winery
Nichol Vineyard & Estate Winery
Perseus Winery
Poplar Grove Winery
Red Rooster Winery
Serendipity Winery
Therapy Vineyards
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
Upper Bench Estate Winery
Van Westen Vineyards
3 Mile Estate Winery

Click here to order tickets online.

Visit www.bcculturalcrawl.com for tickets or more information on Naramata on the River.
Visit www.naramatabench.com to learn more about Naramata Bench Wineries.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Events, Uncategorized

April 7 – Final Winter Market this season

April 2, 2012 By newwestfarmers

Beautiful loaves from A Bread Affair

This Saturday marks our final winter market for this season. After this market, we’ll be taking a short hiatus to get organized for the summer (but you can see our info booth at the Naramata at the River wine event April 24) and we’ll be returning to Tipperary Park on Thursdays from 3-7 from June 7 to October 4.

But! Winter market season is not over yet despite the return of spring and daylight savings and this market will be our most packed yet this season! We hope you can join us.

You can pick up your tickets for the Naramata Bench Spring Wine Release event on April 24 at the market on Saturday – they’ll be upstairs just outside the circus school. Kids crafts are generously sponsored by Yoyomama.ca and you can find them upstairs, too. The BC Hydro PowerSmart team will also be on hand with activities and information. Outside on the west end, find the local Brownie pack with information about Girl Guides of Canada. We are pleased to have Karla Sleightholme, a talented local saxaphone player, performing live throughout the market. Local environmental group, New Westminster Environmental Partners will also be there to provide info and gather your input on the Master Transportation Plan in New Westminster.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via 6th or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com – we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Eat On Site

  • Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
  • Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
  • Pazzarella Auto Pizzeria – wood fired oven baked pizza
  • Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
  • Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
  • Glen Valley Organic Farm – certified organic produce from a farm located only 50km from New Westminster
Garden
  • Sunlight Blossoms – lucky bamboo, orchids, and cut flowers

Dairy

  • Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

  • Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
  • Port Hardy Seafood – BC caught fish and prawns
  • Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

  • A Bread Affair – Breads
  • Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
  • French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
  • Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

  • AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
  • Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
  • Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
  • Gary’s Kettlecorn – Kettlecorn
  • Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
  • Maples’ Sugar Shack – maple syrup products
  • My Father’s Garden – preserves and seasonal baking
  • Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
  • Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
  • Take a Fancy Chocolates and Sweets – handmade chocolates right from scratch

Local Crafters

  • Affera Cosmetics – mineral makeup made in Burnaby
  • Amanda McCracken – one of a kind crocheted 3D stuffed toys
  • Calido Art Glass – lampworked beads and jewelry
  • Dingolay Glass Creations – African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
  • Hoover Crafted Jewelry – beaded jewelry made in New Westminster
  • Ildiko Jewelry – hand forged sterling silver jewelry
  • Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
  • My Secret Cravings – miniature food inspired polymer clay jewelry
  • The Other Eden – cold process soaps scented with essential & fragrance oils, room sprays, body products
  • Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
  • Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized

March 3 2012

February 28, 2012 By newwestfarmers

There are only two winter markets left this season and March 3 is coming up fast! This month we are celebrating new beginnings because spring is in the air, and our friend the groundhog has predicted it will be here soon! (well, I guess that depends which groundhog you listen to). No matter, our farmer friends are already busy in preparation of a long growing season and many are starting the work in cold frames and greenhouses.

macarons - delicious!

We here at the market have started the work for summer, including seeking new vendors and also seeking a new Operations Manager. Check out the links if you’re interested.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited for the last two winter markets! We are pleased this month to have Pretty Up Parties returning as our kids activity sponsor in front of the circus school, and Melissa has a really fun craft planned. We will also have balloon artist Kemal upstairs for your entertainment, and our musical guest this month is Karla Sleightholme, a jazz sax player. We are also happy to be supporting the community group this month. Lunchgroup Heavy Industries, a fun team fundraising and riding in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer (and their team captain happens to be a former board member). The community group area is located upstairs near the escalator.

Don’t forget to check out the vendors outdoors – both on the patio on the riverside and on the west end of the market. We’ve got a few new ones this month we think you’ll really like.

You can reach the market on foot via McInnes Street, Begbie Street or via the overhead walkway from Hyack Square at the foot of 8th Street. There is a bike rack on the south west end of the market. Free parking is available courtesy of the City of New Westminster on the B deck of the downtown waterfront parkade. You can enter it via McKenzie, 6th, or 4th Streets. Park on the B deck, at the southwest end and use the stairs to access Quayside Drive. And pay parking is available to the west and east of River Market for $1.50 for 2 hours.

The market takes place inside (both upstairs and downstairs) and outside (on the patio and on the west end). There are lots of yummy hot food choices as well as amazing handmade crafts, prepared delicacies, and produce – yes! Produce. Here’s what’s in season right now.

Here are the vendors confirmed. Stop by the RCFM info booth if you need help finding a specific vendor’s location. Please note not all vendors come to every market, so to stay up to date, subscribe using www.mymarketsnews.com – we’ll send you a reminder a few days before the market with a list of whose signed up to come.

Here’s who is slated for this Saturday (current as of February 27):

Eat On Site

  • Gina’s Greek Food Catering – delicious Greek food ready to eat
  • Ovenmonkey Bakery – selling fresh Langos – Hungarian fried flatbread
  • Pazzarella Auto Pizzeria – wood fired oven baked pizza
  • Re-Up BBQ – southern pulled pork, beef brisket, lemonade, sweet tea, and bacon!
  • Samosa Guy – hot vegetarian samosas and pakoras, as well as frozen take home samosas

Produce

  • Forstbauer Family Natural Food Farm – organic produce, eggs, and beef
  • Golden West Farms – Okanagan fruit grown in Summerland, many certified organic
Dairy
  • Greendale Herb and Vine – Cheddar cheese, cheese curds, herbs, nut butters and honeycomb

Meat & Fish

  • Outwest Ranches – beef raised locally and fresh eggs
  • Port Hardy Seafood – BC caught fish and prawns
  • Rockweld Farm – BC frozen chicken and chicken products including eggs

Bread & Baking

  • A Bread Affair – Breads
  • Blackberry Hill – squares, cinnamon buns, and old fashioned yummies like crisp rice squares
  • French Made Baking – French-from-France baking.
  • Sweet Thea Cake Company – tarts, pies, cookies, and cakes

Delectable Treats and Prepared Yummies

  • AJI Gourmet Products – sauces made using aji spice
  • Anne’s Gallery – Jams, jellies & knitting
  • Dundarave Olive Company – unique olive products
  • Gourmet Savories – antipasto and pesto
  • Momma Nellie’s Goodies – Salsa, crisps, and cranberry jelly
  • Rascal’s Goodies – flavoured popcorns and old fashioned candies
  • Simply Delish Soup Co – layered soup mix, rice pilaf mix, and spice rubs
  • TK Chocolates – small batch flavoured chocolates

Local Crafters

  • Dingolay Glass Creations – African and Caribbean fused glass jewelry
  • Gracious Gowns and Gifts – custom and unique beautiful hospital gowns
  • Jolene’s Handmade Soap – cold process soaps coloured with spices
  • My Secret Cravings – miniature food inspired polymer clay jewelry
  • Pretty Up Parties – upcycled and unique craft supplies
  • Quality Oak Accents – Fine wood creations
  • Scentimental Creations – Soaps, lotions, hand made cosmetics

 

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized

RCFM is Now Hiring!

February 19, 2012 By newwestfarmers

Jen Arbo
Jen Arbo

I’ve been the Operations Manager for RCFM since 2009 and have really enjoyed being a part of such a supportive and happy community. I feel thankful to have had such a unique perspective on local food and to see neighbours coming together each week.

In late 2010, I co-founded a digital strategy consulting business with a friend of mine, Briana Tomkinson, called Hyack Interactive. Our business has been steadily building and we recently received the Best Home Based Business of the Year Award from the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce. We’re really proud of our success and I love the work I do with Hyack Interactive.

With success comes a price, and that price has been a tug on my time. As a work from home parent, there are a limited number of hours in a day I can set aside for completing my work and doing it well. As a result, I’ve made the incredibly difficult choice to make this summer my last with RCFM. I will miss my market life terribly, but for my family, it’s the right choice. I hope to continue to contribute to the market as a volunteer. I am grateful for the trust and opportunity afforded to me by the Board of Directors, current and past, and know how valuable RCFM is to New Westminster.

We’ve started our search for my replacement early so we may find just the right person to replace me and to give them the chance to be introduced to all aspects of the position with on-the-job learning over this summer season. An Operations Manager requires a huge degree of organization, juggling, patience, and flexibility. For most weeks of the market, I have back up plans on top of back up plans and rely on the Board of Directors and valued volunteers for support to make the market happen.

It is critical to all of us at RCFM that we make this transition seamless so the community that has supported us since our inception in 2008 sees no hiccups and continues to enjoy the weekly summer market. If you or someone you know is a suitable candidate, and is interested in part time work, we’d love to hear from you. A detailed job description with instructions on how to apply is here. We are accepting applications until March 16.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the market shoppers and supporters for making my job so much more than a plain old job, and for all of the positive comments I have received since first announcing my intention to hand over the reins to someone new.

Filed Under: Blog, NWFM News, Uncategorized

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Land Acknowledgement

Our market is grateful to operate on the unceded land of the Qayqayt, Kwikwetlem, and other Halkomelem speaking Peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We acknowledge the incredible gift this land is to our market and BC Agriculture. We commit to the ongoing work of decolonization and allyship.

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